CLUB PROFILE:

Xavier University is home to a Cincinnati-featured Pershing Rifles Club. Newswire recently had the opportunity to sit down with senior Jordan Marks, commander of Xavier's chapter of Pershing Rifles (Battery G-1) Club. As Marks explains, Battery G-1 is much more than just an ROTC club.

Xavier Newswire: Is Pershing Rifles only for ROTC students?

Pershing Rifles: Pershing Rifles is actually for any student – civilian or military – male or female. That being said, all one has to do is apply to become a pledge. Our pledge period is a five week challenge that tests and develops physical stamina, teamwork, drill and ceremony fundamentals and a sense of service.

• XN: What kind of activities is Battery G-1 involved in?
• PR: Battery G-1 conducts many color guards for Reds games, Boy Scout demonstrations, parades, high school football games and Xavier basketball games. Battery G-1 is also trying to compete this year at the Pershing Rifle National Drill Meet in Baltimore.
• XN: What are some of the goals of Battery G-1?
• PR: Pershing Rifles, as a national society, works to develop successful military officers, build camaraderie between the Naval, Air Force and Army R.O.T.C. programs and give civilians an opportunity to be part of a military organization without a formal commitment to the military.
• XN: What kind of a commitment is Battery G-1 for its members?
• PR: Beginning with the intense pledge period, members make the commitment to meet once a week where we discuss administrative information, goals and current status. Once we have a color guard performance on the calendar we conduct rehearsals, walkthroughs and uniform inspections.
• XN: What distinguishes Battery G-1 members from the rest of ROTC?
• PR: Battery G-1 members are a much more committed group of individuals in ROTC than our counterparts. We display a better understanding of customs and courtesies and are proficient in the basics of drill and ceremony.